Formula for subtracting from same number

[WisconsinMom]

I'm setting up a "biggest loser" spreadsheet for a group. In one column, I'm
putting in the weight at weigh-in each week. In another column, I want to
keep track of how much has been lost from the original weighin.

So, if I have in cell b2 the first/original weighin, b3 I have the next
weeks weighin, b4 the 3rd week weighin and so on to b53 the last week of the
year. In cell c3 I have the formula =b2-b3 to calculate the weight loss.
Now, in cell c4, I put in =b2-b4 to calculate the total loss in 2 weeks from
the original weight. I can keep going down and manually entering this, but I
want to know if there is a way of "filling down" and keeping the first cell
constant (the b2 original weight) while changing the second number subtracted
being that current weeks weight (b3, b4, b5 etc)
I've tried everything and filling down, I then get b3-b4, b4-b5 instead of
b2-b4, b2-b5.

I hope I haven't confused you!

 

[Mike H]

Hi,

Your using relative references and what you want is absolute references. try
this in C3 and drag down

=$B$2-B3

Mike

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Take a look at "The difference between relative and absolute references"
in XL Help. One way:


C3: = B$2-B3

Copy down.

 

[David Biddulph]

You need to look in Excel help at the difference between absolute references
and relative references.
If you use =B$2-B3, and copy down a row it will be =B$2-B4. the dollar sign
preceding a row number or column letter will stop it being incremented in
the copy operation.

 

[FLKulchar]

You need to use absolute reference versus relative reference.
In cell C3, use your input:

B2-B3...then put your cursor between the "B" and the "2" and press F4.

You will see the B2 reference change to $B2, B$2, and $B$2 successively.

Use the $B$2...copy and paste..the B2 reference will remain!

FLKulchar

 

[WisconsinMom]

Hi,

Your using relative references and what you want is absolute references. try
this in C3 and drag down

=$B$2-B3

Thank you!!! I knew I was forgetting something...the $'s!!! Thanks so much
for jogging my memory.